The Sierra Nevada Mountains are home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. The Sierra Nevadas are a 400-mile-long mountain range that runs north to south along the eastern part of California, boasting some of the biggest mountains in the state. Most of the popular California ski resorts are located in Lake Tahoe, which is bustling with ski activity all winter.
Geography
The geography of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is vast, ranging from barren deserts to alpine peaks and large forests. There are over 120 alpine peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that are all over 13,000 feet. The elevation has great changes from 6,000 feet to the highest peak at 14,494 feet. The climate changes dramatically with the change in elevation as well. There are hot deserts in the lower elevations and an arctic alpine climate in the high elevations. Sierra Nevada means “Snowy Range” in Spanish, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains receive some of the heaviest snowfall in the world.
South Lake Tahoe Area
South Lake Tahoe has many top-rated ski resorts. One of the most popular South Lake Tahoe ski resorts is Heavenly Ski Resort, known for its 4,800 acres of varied terrain for skiers of all levels. The resort has backcountry skiing for advanced skiers, groomed runs for beginners as well as terrain parks for adventurous types. The resort is open all winter and if the occasional spring storm comes along, the season can extend into April and May.
North Lake Tahoe Area
The North Lake Tahoe area is home to many popular ski resorts such as Squaw Valley USA where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. Squaw Valley has over 170 runs and 33 ski lifts. Most ski days boast sunny skies with temperatures ranging from 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Another popular North Lake Tahoe ski resort is Northstar At Tahoe, which has an annual snowfall of 400 inches a year and has 2,480 acres of ski-able terrain ranging from beginner to advanced.
Mammoth Lakes Area
Another great ski spot in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the Mammoth Lakes area. Located on the east edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Mammoth Mountain is home to California's highest ski elevation and the longest ski season. There are over 3,500 acres of ski terrain with 150 trails and 3,100 vertical feet. There is skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels. The ski season usually begins in early November and lasts well into April.
Bear Valley Area
The Bear Valley area is located in the central California Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Bear Valley Mountain Resort is a great mid-sized resort that has terrain for all ski levels and abilities. It is centrally located and only about 2.5 hours to get to from Sacramento and 3.5 hours from the Bay Area. It has 67 trails with 11 lifts that accommodate skiers throughout the winter season. The resort has great views of the granite cut Mokelumne River. The Grizzly Bowl is one of the resort's biggest attractions, with 1,000 feet of vertical drop with steep chutes and open bowls.
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